Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley sending help to S.C. Dems

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a 2016 White House aspirant trying to win backing in the first Southern presidential primary state, is sending four aides from his political-action group to help the S.C. Democratic party with the November election.

The aides from O'Malley's O'Say Can You See PAC will work on all races, not just on the top-ticket tilts for governor and lieutenant governor, state party spokesman Kristin Sosanie said. They will work on communications and building the party's grassroots network, she said. CNN first reported the news.

No other major Democratic candidate has offered staffing help to the state party, Sosanie said.

O'Malley has built support in the Palmetto State by speaking at a S.C. delegation breakfast during the 2012 Democratic Convention in Charlotte and attending fundraisers for governor challenger state Sen. Vincent Sheheen in Washington, D.C., and Charleston. Sheheen is trying to beat Republican Gov. Nikki Haley.

The Maryland boss also headlined a D.C. fundraiser for lieutenant governor hopeful state Rep. Bakari Sellers, who faces former state Republican Attorney General Henry McMaster.